Those days are gone, however, and show no signs of returning any time soon. Celtic have won only three of their last 10 European matches at home. They will now drop into the last qualifying round of the Europa League and, although they will be seeded in tomorrow’s draw, the likes of Trabzonspor will be hoping to travel to Glasgow.

Failure to address the problem positions (central defence and left-back) and to replace goalkeeper Artur Boruc with a signing of similar calibre has cost the club dearly.

Celtic, as Lennon had requested, started at a brisk tempo and manufactured a goal scoring opportunity inside the opening three minutes.

For all his defensive deficiencies, Charlie Mulgrew provides a threat from set pieces and Georgios Samaras ought to have done better than to send a glancing header wide of the target from the fullback’s inswinging corner.

Parkhead was some way short of its 60,000 capacity even though Celtic had refused to allow the match to be broadcast live on television and the match was free for season-ticket holders but those who turned up did their best to create an intimidating atmosphere.

Braga, however, were cowed. Their formation was designed for containment and counter-attack and they were composed and disciplined, lone striker Matheus’ caution for deliberate handball notwithstanding.

Celtic already had a mountain to climb but, after conceding a sloppy goal less than a quarter of the way, their task assumed K2 proportions.

Once again Mulgrew’s limitations were exposed, this time by the Brazilian, Alan, whose penalty kick had opened the scoring in the first leg.

After Mulgrew had given the ball away he bamboozled the Scot on the touchline with his close control and created space to curl in a cross. Even then the danger should have been cleared but Cha Du-Ri allowed Paulo Cesar to steal in front of him and the midfielder headed beyond Lukasz Zaluska from six yards.

Jos Hooiveld, who had been exceptionally critical of his team-mates following their capitulation in Portugal, held his head in his hands. Like everyone else inside the stadium, he knew that the jig was up.

Miguel Garcia was also shown a yellow card for needlessly barging into Samaras from behind but Mulgrew’s subsequent free kick was deflected yards wide.

Celtic redoubled their efforts but the more frantic they became the more frequently they conceded possession. Braga, by contrast, were now able to play without pressure.

When Paulo Cesar outpaced Scott Brown during a Braga breakaway the home side were indebted to Zaluska, who blocked his shot at the near post.

Mulgrew’s evening worsened in the 32nd minute when he had his name taken for pulling back Matheus. Having also been booked in the first leg he will miss the club’s next European tie.

He also missed the second half last night, being replaced by Marc-Antoine Fortune at the interval, with Joe Ledley, anonymous in midfield during the opening 45 minutes, moved to left-back.

Braga came within inches of doubling their lead in the 51st minute. With Celtic committing more players forward, the Portuguese broke quickly, Matheus sending Alan clear on the right and Paulo Cesar only just failed to connect with his driven cross.

That escape galvanised the home side and, 60 seconds later, they found themselves level on the night, Cha’s low cross from the right being bundled over the line from six yards by Gary Hooper on his competitive debut for the club.

Celtic continued to live dangerously, though, and when Glenn Loovens elected not to clear a through ball, not realising that Matheus was behind him, Zaluska was forced to sprint from his line to prevent his team from falling behind.

Alan and Brown collected yellow cards for cynical fouls on Cha and Matheus, respectively, before Celtic were forced to change their approach through injury to Shaun Maloney, who was replaced by former Sunderland target man Daryl Murphy.

Unsurprisingly, then, when Celtic regained the lead it came from a header, although not from one of the more likely sources.

Mexican midfielder Efrain Juarez, one of the smallest players on view, was left unmarked to direct a cross from Samaras beyond Mario Felguerias from 12 yards.

While qualification remained beyond them, the goal at least provided the supporters with the prospect of victory on the night. At the moment followers of Scottish clubs in Continental competition take their comforts where they find them.